The Funeral

When to have the funeral

When establishing a day and time for the funeral of a loved one, it is necessary to consider when family members, the funeral director, the celebrant, and the venue are all available. It is also necessary to consider whether the cremation or burial will take place before or after the refreshments.

Burial or cremation

If the deceased has left instructions, these should guide your decision. Otherwise, the family will choose the option that feels most appropriate.

• Cremation: You will need to decide how and where the ashes will be placed or scattered.
• Burial: You will need to select a cemetery and burial plot. In some areas, families can visit the cemetery to choose a preferred location.

Please inform the deceased’s doctor of your decision so that the appropriate documentation can be prepared.

Embalming

Our experienced staff can discuss and provide advice regarding embalming.

In New Zealand culture, when someone dies, we need to say goodbye. This farewell may take many forms – a funeral service, a Tangihanga, a wake, or a gathering of friends. The time frame between death and the funeral has been increasing in recent years, as some family members may need to travel to attend the funeral. Understandably, some people simply need more time to prepare for the funeral. The opportunity for family to see and spend time with the deceased after embalming is very helpful with grieving and leaves a much better ‘memory picture’ than they may otherwise have. For embalming to take place, consent must be given by a family representative or executor. Embalming temporarily delays the body’s natural deterioration and provides dignity for the deceased, and a more positive experience for family members.  Embalming also enables the possibility of transferring the deceased to the family home or marae prior to the funeral. Our cool climate-controlled facility is an alternative option. However, this can limit access to your loved one and has other considerations which we will discuss with you, if required.

Funeral venue

You will need to select a suitable location for the service. Options include:

• Woolertons’ Funeral Home Chapel and reception lounge
• Churches or church halls
• Crematorium chapels
• Community halls
• A family home

When choosing a venue, consider both availability and the number of people likely to attend. Estimating attendance can be difficult, so think broadly about friends, extended family, colleagues, and community members who may wish to pay their respects.

If you plan to have refreshments afterward, you may prefer a venue that can accommodate both the service and gathering. Woolertons’ provides both onsite.

Who will conduct the service?

A funeral service is most often conducted by a minister, priest, or celebrant. You may already know of someone who you would like to take the funeral service. If you do not have a particular person in mind, we can recommend an appropriate funeral celebrant, minister or priest who will meet with you and help you put together a meaningful ceremony.  

Casket selection

The casket often reflects the style and personality of the deceased. Woolertons’ offers a wide range of high-quality, sustainable, and environmentally friendly caskets in both traditional and contemporary designs.

Dressing the deceased

If the deceased expressed preferences for their clothing, these should guide your choice. Otherwise, family members may select clothing that feels appropriate.

You are welcome to participate in dressing your loved one, and we will support you if you wish.

Newspaper notices

Newspaper notices help inform family, friends, and the wider community of the death and the funeral details. Some families choosing a private service may place a notice after the funeral. You may write your own wording, or we can assist you.

Service sheets

An order of service is a beautiful way to present a favourite photo of your loved one and provide hymns, quotations, invitations and directions for the service attendees. High quality photos are an important feature of well-presented service sheets, as these often provide a lasting keepsake for family and friends. Some families like to design and print service sheets using their own resources, though with the short time frames and disrupted life patterns that can surround bereavement, this task can become an unwanted pressure. If this is the case, formatting and printing can be completed by us through a professional designer and printer.

Livestreaming the funeral service

If family members or close friends cannot attend the funeral because of distance, timing, or travel limitations, they may greatly appreciate the ability to watch the service remotely. We can arrange livestreaming from our chapel or other venues so that loved ones can view the service online from a desktop, tablet, or mobile device.

Our chapel is equipped to livestream the service, or we can arrange for livestreaming from alternative venues. Sometimes primary family members find that emotions are a barrier to listening on the day of the funeral and may wish to have a recording of the service to appreciate tributes and eulogies later.

Memorial register

A memorial register or signature book can be placed at the entrance to the venue of the funeral ceremony for attendees to sign. This may then be personalized and provided as a beautiful memorial of the service for the family to treasure and reflect.

Photographic tributes

Photographs can be combined into a beautiful tribute to be shown before or during the service. We can arrange this through Fond Memories.

Simply provide:

• 50–60 photos (fewer is also fine)
• 1–2 pieces of music

Photos may be supplied as prints, albums, slides, or digital files. (Please avoid taking photos-of-photos on a phone, as they do not reproduce well.)

Alternatively, photos may be displayed on a board or easel.

Music

Music can be incredibly meaningful in times of loss. Recorded music, hymns, or live performances can all be included.

We can arrange:

• Organists or pianists
• Soloists or musicians

Use of your own supplied music
Family members or friends are also welcome to contribute musical items

Catering

Meeting and greeting each other over a cup of tea and light refreshments after the funeral can be an important part of the occasion. It is a time for people to give and receive comfort from each other, share more stories about the deceased person and rebuild connections. We can arrange for catering at our premises or at an alternative venue. Most dietary requirements of attendees can be accommodated, when advised prior to the funeral.

Some families may appreciate a return to the old tradition of having those attending the funeral bring food to share after the service, rather than having professional catering.

Readings

Poems and readings can add depth and meaning to a funeral service. Woolertons’ has a selection of suitable readings, and the internet also offers a wide range of material on loss and remembrance. You may choose to have these read by the celebrant or by a family member.

Family participation

It can be a positive and memorable experience for family members, including grandchildren, and close friends to have a role at the funeral. They may be ushers or pall bearers, or they may deliver readings. Taking an active part in the service honors loved ones and adds a personal touch to the service This helps all involved to recall the ceremony in a positive way in years to come.

Organizations and clubs

A variety of organizations may wish to participate in and contribute to the funeral in some way. Such organizations include the RSA, Rotary, Lions, Masonic Lodge, bowling club, rugby club, sports team, or the deceased person’s former workplace. We can assist in coordinating a guard of honor if this is required.

Vehicles

At Woolertons’ we offer a choice of classic vehicles. We have a beautiful Mercedes or a stunning Buick hearse so that loved ones can depart in style. We are happy for you to select the hearse you prefer.

Flowers

Floral tributes and casket sprays are deeply personal. You may use your own florist, or we can arrange flowers on your behalf.

Flowers can reflect favourite colours, blooms, or themes, and may stay with the deceased after the service or be returned to the family.

Personal touches

A funeral can be further personalised by displaying personal items on the casket, such as medals, sports or hobby memorabilia or other meaningful items that represent the deceased’s life and interests. Personal items can be used in addition to, or in place of floral tributes.

Some families like to decorate or write on the casket to personalise it for their loved one.

Any New Zealander is permitted to have the New Zealand flag draped over their casket if they would like to.

Memorial donations

Although this is not an expectation, some people wish to express a final act of giving back to the community through donations to a charity of their choice. This would normally be included in the funeral newspaper notice so that people are given forewarning.

Registering a death

We will collect all necessary information to register the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages. This is submitted on the day of the funeral, and an official Death Certificate is usually issued within 4-7 days.